Half-Life: Alyx
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life: Alyx across the outlets.
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The Steam Frame needs to be more than a cool device if Valve want to reshape the VR market
The VR market is facing a decline in headset shipments and studio closures, with a shift away from mid-range devices towards high-end or AR/XR alternatives. Despite Meta's continued dominance and some internal successes with its Quest ecosystem, the overall VR gaming landscape struggles with visibility and the high cost of developing tentpole titles. Valve's upcoming Steam Frame faces challenges related to pricing and a lack of compelling exclusive content, suggesting VR may become an integrated feature rather than a standalone market.
Yet another sign the Steam Frame is approaching launch—maybe really for real this time?—as the SteamOS beta adds 'preliminary support' for its wireless adapter
Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, appears to be closer to launch as SteamOS Beta and Preview channels have received preliminary support for its wireless adapter. This update, along with previous import signs and software classifications, suggests a launch is imminent, though the exact date remains unconfirmed. Discussions also speculate if Valve is waiting for an updated Half-Life Alyx before releasing the headset.
Half-Life Alyx gets new Steam branch, and the rumors are already swirling
Valve has added a new 'previous_release' branch for Half-Life Alyx on Steam, sparking rumors of upcoming major changes or updates. This move could be related to engine improvements, the new Steam Frame VR headset, or potentially even hints towards future Half-Life titles.
Moss The Forgotten Relic is a great example of transferring games from VR, but making it "was no simple task"
Polyarc successfully transitioned the VR titles Moss and Moss: Book Two to flat-screen platforms like PC with Moss: The Forgotten Relic. Technical Art Director Tyler Walters detailed the challenges of adapting input systems, camera perspectives, and interaction design for a non-VR experience. While the lack of VR's immersive scale is noted, the porting process is highlighted as a significant achievement in game development.
Valve Doesn’t Want to Use Exclusive Games to Sell Steam Machines, Says Engineer
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the company does not intend to make games exclusive to the Steam Machine, preferring to keep the entire PC catalog available. Engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Griffais also emphasized Valve's interest in fostering innovation among hardware manufacturers rather than dominating the market. Despite early success and high pricing, Valve acknowledges ongoing memory supply challenges for the Steam Machine.
Retiring Valve employee replies to HLX question in AMA, unintentionally feeding HL3 fans hopium again
Valve software engineer Christopher Green's retirement AMA has fueled speculation about a potential 'HLX' project, possibly related to Half-Life 3. Green's non-committal response to a question about HLX has reignited hope among fans, despite no official confirmation from Valve. This follows previous rumors and speculation surrounding Valve's development cycles and potential unannounced projects.
A current Valve designer recreated Half-Life 2's Ravenholm in the Source 2 engine, and says he was "blown away…
Valve level designer Chuck Wilson recreated the iconic Half-Life 2 level Ravenholm using the Source 2 engine, showcasing impressive improvements in textures and lighting while retaining the original's eerie atmosphere. Wilson expressed his admiration for the power of Source 2's level design tools, calling them his favorite to date. This fan-made recreation has sparked discussions about the possibility of an official Half-Life 2 remake.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 26: Steam Summer Sale and friends
Multiple PC gaming storefronts, including Steam, GOG.com, and Epic Games Store, are hosting major summer sales with thousands of deals. Notable discounts are available on titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Some platforms also offer free titles or additional discounts for subscribers.
Shack Chat: What is your favorite video game comeback?
Shacknews staff members discuss their favorite video game comebacks, highlighting titles like Overwatch 2, Guilty Gear Xrd, F-Zero 99, Destiny 2, Half-Life: Alyx, and No Man's Sky. The discussion also touches on Nintendo's successful transition from the Wii U to the Nintendo Switch as a significant comeback for the company.
Why Virtual Reality Games Development Is Growing in the Global Gaming Industry - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
The virtual reality gaming market is experiencing significant growth, projected to reach nearly $89 billion by 2031, driven by more accessible hardware and increasing player demand for immersive experiences. Companies like Kevuru Games are highlighted as leading full-cycle VR development studios, offering expertise in platforms such as Meta Quest, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR, and contributing to major titles and ecosystems.
Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason…
Backrooms director Kane Parsons cites Valve's commitment to creating games with a meaningful purpose as a significant inspiration for his work. He praises Valve's philosophy of not making projects without a strong underlying reason, using Half-Life: Alyx as an example of a game developed to explore new technology like VR.
What are we all playing this weekend?
Several individuals share their weekend gaming plans, with "Zero Parades" being a popular choice, alongside "Satisfactory" and "Half-Life: Alyx." One contributor is also finishing up guides for "Lego Batman" content.
Half-Life: Alyx is convincing me I don't have the knees for VR gaming, or perhaps I should stop cowering behind cars quite so often
Playing Half-Life: Alyx on Meta Quest 2 via Steam Link has highlighted the author's physical limitations, particularly their knee issues, due to the need for constant crouching and movement in VR. Despite the discomfort, the author praises Valve's technical achievements in VR and intends to finish the game, humorously suggesting future VR titles should feature less physically demanding protagonists.
Former Half-Life 2 Writer Doesn’t Want to Pen Half-Life 3: “I Don’t Want to Touch Anything Old”
Former Half-Life 2 writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no desire to work on Half-Life 3, preferring to avoid established lore and the pressure of adhering to existing narratives. He expressed similar sentiments about other franchises with extensive backstories, including Left 4 Dead and Destiny 2, highlighting his preference for creating new intellectual property.
We can thank a Jim Henson Company puppeteer for some of Valve's best animation work
The distinctive character animation found in Valve games, such as Portal 2 and Team Fortress 2, owes a debt to puppeteer Karen Prell, who previously worked for The Jim Henson Company. Prell, known for her role as Red Fraggle and puppeteering the worm in Labyrinth, brought her expertise in bringing characters to life to Valve, significantly influencing the animation of characters like Wheatley.
Half-Life 3's story wouldn't be 'easy,' ex Valve Writer Chet Faliszek says: "Any sequel is a disaster nightmare that I never want to do"
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek believes that creating a story for Half-Life 3 would be an extremely difficult and daunting task due to the existing lore and unresolved plot points from previous games. He expressed a personal aversion to working on sequels with established lore, citing the potential for fan backlash and the complexity of maintaining narrative consistency.
Spelhelgen är extra lång – och extra bra!
Several individuals share their gaming plans for an extended weekend, with a focus on titles from Square Enix and Swedish indie developers. Games mentioned include Half-Life: Alyx, Final Fantasy IX and X, Chrono Trigger, Core Keeper, and Next of Kin, alongside Diablo 4 and Syndicate.
On Sale
Several PC games are currently on sale on Steam, including Half-Life: Alyx and Overcooked! 2 with 75% discounts. Fellow Traveller is also holding a publisher sale, and a golf game bundle is available with a 'pay what you want' option.
Garry's Mod Spiritual Successor s&box Launches Later This Month
Facepunch Studios announced that s&box, a spiritual successor to Garry's Mod built on the Source 2 engine, will launch on PC via Steam on April 28th. The game creation platform allows players to create, share, and play games, with plans for royalty-free Steam publishing and Roblox-style microtransactions. Prior to launch, access will be restricted to active users, with the game then costing $20.
